Flexible railway hopper closure operating mechanism

ABSTRACT

A hopper discharge outlet arrangement including a frame and a sectional closure member slidingly movable horizontally relative to a hopper discharge opening, the closure member being moved by the rotation of an operating rod having reels connected thereto on which flexible members are wound and unwound and are so anchored and positioned on the frame that in response to rotation of the reels the closure member is moved between open and closed positions. Certain of the reels are provided with a spiral groove on which the flexible members are wound, the initial winding taking place on the smallest diameter portion of the groove and subsequent winding occurring on increased diameter groove portions of the total groove which in effect provides a high torque and low speed initial operation during the opening of the gate and which upon continued opening provides for a decrease in torque and a higher speed of opening. A modification of the invention includes reels in the form of pulleys and flexible elements comprise chains which are wound around the pulleys and upon themselves so as to achieve the desired torque and speed operation.

United States Patent 11 1 Nagy et al.

1451 Jan. 23, 1973 1541 FLEXIBLE RAILWAY HOPPER CLOSURE OPERATINGMECHANISM [75] lnventors: Ernest J. Nagy; William R. Shaver,

both of Munster, Ind.

[52] US. Cl. ..105/282 R, 105/300, 242/117 [51] Int. Cl. ..B6ld 7/20,B61d 7/26, B65h 75/18 [58] Field of Search...l05/247, 282 R, 282 A, 282P,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,536,013 lO/1968 Nagy..105/282 P 3,433,178 3/1969 Floehr ..l05/282 R 1,122,918 12/1914 Hartetal. ..l05/282PX 887,225 5/1908 Post ..298/27 1,465,375 8/1923 Stovall..l05/247 748,221 12/1903 Sheffield et al.. 105/282 R 837,417 12/1906Miller ...l05/282 R 1,340,297 5/1920 Schiff 1 ..242/117 1,874,077 8/1932Anderson ...242/1 17 X 2,363,393 11/1944 Burnett ..242/117 X 2,816,79712/1957 l-lanson ..214/83.2 X 2,859,707 11/1938 Dore.......................Y105/28R 3,135,478 6/1964 Harlander ..242/1 173,348,501 10/1967 Stevens et al. ..105/282 R X 3,472,178 10/1969 Floehr..105/282 A 3,472,179 10/1969 Floehr 105/282 R 3,485,183 12/1969 Floehr..l05/282 R Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerHowardBeltran Attorney-Hilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell [57] ABSTRACTA hopper discharge outlet arrangement including a frame and a sectionalclosure member slidingly movable horizontally relative to a hopperdischarge opening, the closure member being moved by the rotation of anoperating rod having reels connected thereto on which flexible membersare wound and unwound and are so anchored and positioned on the framethat in response to rotation of the reels the closure member is movedbetween open and closed positions.

Certain of the reels are provided with a spiral groove on which theflexible members are wound, the initial winding taking place on thesmallest diameter portion of the groove and subsequent winding occurringon increased diameter groove portions of the total groove which ineffect provides a high torque and low speed initial operation during theopening of the gate and which upon continued opening provides for adecrease in tor ue and 3 hi her speed of openin A mo il1flcat1on o? theinvention inclufies reels 1n the form of pulleys and flexible elementscomprise chains which are wound around the pulleys and upon themselvesso as to achieve the desired torque and speed operation.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 23 I973 SHEET 1 [1F 4 43INVENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER 3B ERNEST NAGY BY W & TT Y PATENTED JAN 23I973 SHEET 2 [IF 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER E NESTJ NAGY BYWWM ATT'YPATENTEDJAN23 197s 3.712.249

SHEET 3 UF 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER RN STJ. NAG Y PATENIEDJAN23 ms3.712.249

SHEET u 0F 4 I N VENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER ERNEST J. NAG Y FLEXIBLERAILWAY HOPPER CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANISM This application is acontinuation-in-part application of applicants copending application,Ser. No. 801,634 filed Feb. 24, 1969, now abandoned. This application isalso related to one of co-applicants application, Ser. No. 765,533 filedOct. 7, I968, now US. Pat. No. 3,536,013 issued Oct. 27, I970, whichdiscloses a sectional closure member for a discharge hopper arrangementwhich is sequentially operated.

SUMMARY The present invention relates to the actuating mechanism foropening and closing a closure member or gate relative to the dischargeopening of a hopper discharge arrangement. The present invention has forits primary object a provision for an improved reel type actuatingmechanism for sliding a closure gate into open and closed positions. Thereel mechanism includes two pairs of reel members, one pair for openingthe gate and the second pair for closing the gate, each of said rcclmembers of the first pair includes a spiral groove designed to provideinitial low speed, high torque opening of the gate and as movementtoward open position continues the groove arrangement provides a higherspeed of movement and less torque until the gate assumes its desiredposition. The second pair of reels has its flexible members so connectedthat on initial closing of the gate a high speed, low torque actiontakes place with decrease in speed of closing and higher torque as thegate approaches its closed position. A modified embodiment includesreels or pulleys around which link chains are wound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of animproved hopper discharge arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one symmetrical portion ofa hopperdischarge arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through a sectionalgate;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a rearportion of a hopper discharge arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a hopperdischarge arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. I0 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,with certain parts shown in section; and

FIG. I] is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A hopper discharge arrangement is designatedgenerally by the reference character I0 and includes a frame 11 ofgenerally rectangular configuration. The frame 11 comprises a verticalfront frame member 12 having connected thereto side frame members I3.The

front frame member 12 includes an inclined flange l4 and the side framemembers 13 each includes an inclined flange 15. A transversely extendingrear angle member 16 is suitably connected to the side frame member 13and with the inclined flanges 14 and 15 is secured to the sloping walls17 of a hopper generally designated at 18. The hopper 18 shown in FIG. 3is of conventional construction and is usually provided at the lower endof a tank or railway tank car for discharging material through anopening provided at the lower end of the walls 17.

Spaced rearwardly of the angle members 16, and to the left as shown inFIG. 2, the frame 11 includes a transversely extending frame member 19having its opposite ends rigidly secured to the ends of the side framemembers I3.

The side frame members 13, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, are providedwith inwardly directed ledges 20 on which a closure gate 21 issupported. The closure gate 21 is of a sectional type including a frontgate section 22 which has connected thereto a pair of transverselyspaced, horizontally extending frame elements 23, best shown in FIGS. 2and 6. The frame elements 23 extend rearwardly in a direction toward thecross member 19 and the end of each frame element 23, as best shown inFIGS. 4 and 6, is provided with a vertically extending stop 24. Theclosure gate 21 further includes a rear gate section 25 which isdisposed in superposed relation relative to the gate section 22. Therear gate section 25, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, is provided withan upwardly transversely extending stop element 25' which also acts toseal a rear opening 24, as shown in FIG. 3, of the outlet arrangement 10when the gate 21 is in the closed position. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and3, corner retaining tabs 26 and 27 supported on the side frame members13 restrain the gate 21 against upward displacement. Retaining tabs 28on the front frame member 12 also serve a similar purpose for the frontgate section 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front end of rear section 25 is provided with atransversely extending lower seal member 29. The rear end of the frontgate section 22 is similarly provided with a transversely extending sealmember 30 with such seal members 29 and 30 being substantially in thesame plane. A flexible seal element 31 is suitably connected to the sealmember 29 whereupon in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, thesections 22 and 25 form a sealed closure underneath the dischargeopening of the outlet arrangement 10. The section 25 is provided at itsrear end with downwardly projecting stop members 32 which are adapted tobe engaged by the lower section 22 upon rearward movement thereof aswill be presently described.

Each of the spaced frame elements 23 includes a downwardly projectingsupport 33 having a transverse opening 34.1 A shaft or actuating member35 is rotatably positioned in the openings 34 and is provided at itsopposite ends with suitable conventional operating heads 36 whereby theshaft 35 may be manually rotated.

The shaft 35 has supported thereon for rotation therewith a pair offirst reel elements 37 positioned inwardly from the side frame members13. Also positioned on the actuating shaft 35 is a pair of second reelelements 38 disposed outwardly of the side frame members 13. Each of thereel elements 37 and 38 is provided with a conical outer face 39, havingdisposed therein a spiral groove 40. The reel elements 37 and 38 aresuitably keyed as indicated at 41 to the shaft 35. Flexible elements 42and 43, such as steel cable, or of other suitable material having hightensile strength, have end portions connected to said reels.

As shown in FIG. 6, at the end of the groove 40 on the largest diameterportion of each reel, there is provided a suitable clamp 44 whichsecures the ends of each flexible member 43 to the respective reel 38.The reels 37, at the smallest diameter portions thereof, have the endsof the flexible members 42 connected thereto by clamps 44. The flexibleelements 42 extend rearwardly and are connected to the vertical crossmember by adjustable clamp elements 45 which are constructed to permitadjusting of the tension of said flexible elements. Similarly theflexible elements 43 have end portions connected to the side framemembers by means of similar clamp elements 45' as best shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

A pair of pivoted latch elements 46, as best shown in FIG. 3 arerotatable on the shaft and as shown in FIG. 6 are anchored in positionby means of retainer elements 47. A stop hook 48 is provided on each ofthe underneath surfaces of each of the spaced ledges 20 and as bestshown in FIG. 3 is engageable by the latch elements 46 so as to lock thegate 21 in the closed position. Thus in the position shown in FIG. 3 thegate is locked. A rotatable rod 49 is pivoted on ends of the latchelements 46 and is adapted to be actuated by means of a manual handle50. Rotatable stops 51 rotate with the rod 49 to the position shown inFIG. 3 and engage the underneath sides of the ledges 20 to preventpivotal movement of the latch elements 46 from the locked position. Topivot said latch elements 46 into the unlocked position the rod 49 issimply rotated in a counterclockwise direction whereupon the rotatablestops 51 permit the pivotal disengagement of said latch elements 46. Thereference character 52, as shown in FIG. 2, refers to a car sealarrangement more fully described in the aforementioned patentapplication.

THE OPERATION Closure gate 21 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is shown in the closedand locked position. By the actuation of the rotatable rod 49 which inturn moves the stop 51 in a counterclockwise direction the latch element46 is pivoted out of engagement with the stop latch 48 which thenpermits the gate 21 to be moved to an open position. Rotation of theoperating head 36 in a clockwise direction provides for the winding ofthe flexible elements 42 initially about the lower diameter portion ofthe groove in turn causing movement of the section 22 in a directiontoward the vertical cross member 19. The torque applied by virtue of therotation of the reels 47 is at a maximum during the initial openingmovement of the section 22 and as the flexible elements 42 are woundupon the spiral grooves 40, by virtue of the increasing diameterafforded by the conical faces 39, the torque decreases during suchmovement of the gate 22 while the speed of movement increases. Theincreased torque at the beginning of the opening of the gate is desiredduring the initial opening since the weight of the material to bedischarged requires more force initially to open the discharge gate inthis type of outlet arrangement. However once the gate section 21 ispartially open the need for maximum torque decreases and higher speed isdesired so that quick opening of the gate can occur. This is achieved bythe shape of the grooves on the reels. As the gate section 22 opensfurther it moves underneath the gate section 25 until the gate section22 engages the stop members 32 of the gate 25. Upon such engagement thegate 25 is now also moved with the gate 22 until both sections 22 and 25are disposed to one side of the discharge opening in an entirely openposition. To close the gate sections 22 and 25 the operator rotates theoperating heads 36 in a counterclockwise direction and the flexibleelements 43 initially are wound upon the largest diameter portion of thegroove 40 of the reels 38. Thus initially the gate section 22 is movedin a rapid speed in the direction of closing and as it approaches theclosed position, the flexible elements 43 are wound upon the smallerdiameter portion of the groove 40 and a higher torque for closing isprovided at a lower speed of movement. The higher torque is desired atthe final closing of the section to assure positive and effectiveclosing operation. As the gate 22 is moving, the vertical stops 24engage the rear end of the gate section 25 and also move the same to itsclosed position as shown in FIGS.

3 and 4 whereupon the seal members 29 and 30 and seal element 31 are insealing engagement in the closed position of the gate 21. As shown inFIG 3, the transversely extending stop element 25' and the dischargeopening is properly sealed and closed by the closure gate 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MODIFIED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 7 11, a modifiedembodiment of an improved hopper discharge arrangement is disclosed anddesignated by the reference character 60. The arrangement 60 includes ahopper 61 having a plurality of sloping walls 62 which are provided attheir lower ends with a frame generally designated at 63. The frame 63includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extendingvertical walls 64 connected by a laterally extending vertical wall 65and an angle member forming a laterally extending wall 66. The verticalwalls 64 and 65 are provided with a tapered flange 67 which is suitablyconnected to three of the sloping walls 62 of the hopper 61.- Thevertical walls 64 are providedwith longitudinally extending extensions68 which are provided at their ends with a cross bracket or angle 69.The vertical walls 64, 65 and angle 66, in effect, provide a dischargeopening 70 provided at the lower end of the hopper 61.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the vertical walls 64 and extensions 68are provided with a lower ledge 71 and an upper ledge 72. Asectionalized closure member or gate is designated by the referencecharacter 73 and comprises a pair of longitudinally movable sections 74and 77, the latter being positioned on the ledges 72 for slidingmovement and the section 74 being positioned on the ledge 71 for slidingmovement. The section 74 is also provided with a pair of extensions 75which extend rearwardly in the direction toward the bracket 69, as bestshown in FIGS. The gate section 74 in its closed position is retainedtherein against vertical movement by suitable retainer tabs 76 as bestshown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The section 77 is likewise suitably retained onthe ledges 72 against vertical movement by suitable retainer tabs 78 asbest shown in FIG. 7. The section 77 is also provided with a rear stop79 adapted to engage a portion of a stop member 80 suitably connected tothe angle 66 when the section 77 is in a closed position. The stop 79also serves to seal the rear end of a space formed between the verticalwall 65 and portions of the frame 63.

The sections 74 and 77 are positioned one above the other and haveadjacent end portions in overlapping relation as best shown in FIG. 9. Adownwardly extending ledge 81 is provided on the front end of thesection 77 and a ledge 82 projecting upwardly is provided on the rearend of the section 74. In the closed position, as indicated in FIG. 9,the ledges 81 and 82 are adapted to seal, by suitable sealing means notdescribed in detail, the space provided by the superposed sections 74and 77, thus effectively sealing the discharge opening when the gate isin its closed position. The rearmost end of the gate 77 is also providedwith stops 83 and the extensions 75 are provided with stop members 84 toengage the rear ends of the sections 77, as best shown in FIG. 9.Essentially, the hopper discharge arrangement 60 functions in a mannersimilar to the aforementioned embodiment of the invention in that asectionalized gate arrangement is provided with a novel means foropening and closing the said gate with the application of a maximumtorque at a certain speed rather than a lesser torque at a greater speedin the manner desired and explained hereinabove.

The arrangement 60 is also provided with a transversely extending shaft85 which is rotatably mounted on depending brackets 86 in turn carriedon the extensions 75. The shaft 85 is provided with a conventionalactuating head 87 at opposite ends normally engaged by a suitable toolby the operator for rotating the shaft 85 during operation. A first reelmeans or a pair of pulleys 88 are connected to the shaft 85 for rotationtherewith.

A pair of chains 89 are connected to the shaft 88 to be wound upon thepulleys 88 and ends of the chain 89 are suitably connected as indicatedat 90 to the transversely extending angle or bracket member 69. Theshaft 85 is also provided with reel means or an additional pair ofpulleys 91 to be rotated with the shaft 85. A pair of chains 92 are alsosuitably connected to the shafts 85 to be wound upon the pulleys 88 andthe chains in turn are suitably connected as indicated at 90 to oppositesides of the frame and particularly on the vertical wall 64 by means ofbrackets 93 which are connected to the ends of the chain as indicated at94. The connections 90 and 94 may be of an adjustable type so thatchains may be tightened as desired.

The hopperdischarge arrangement 60 indicated in the modified embodimentis similar to that shown in the aforementioned embodiment in that itincludes a suitable locking arrangement generally designated at 95 whichfunctions in a manner similar to the arrangement indicated by thereference characters 46, 49, 51, etc. of FlGS. 2 and 3.

OPERATION OF THE MODlFlED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 7, the hopper dischargearrangement 60 is shown in the closed position of the closure member orgate 73. To effectuate opening of the gate sections 74 and 77 theoperator by means of a suitable tool rotates the operating head 87 andshaft 85 in a clockwise direction whereupon the chains 89 are woundabout the pulleys 88. Upon such winding the section 74 is movedrearwardly. Upon rearward movement of the section 74 of the ledge 82 ismoved out of engagement with the seal and ledge 81 and the saidextensions move rearwardly until the rear end of the section 74 engagesthe stops 83 which in turn then also causes full retraction of the gatesection 77 to the open position, with both of the sections 74 and 77being in relatively vertical stacked relation and to one side of thedischarge opening of the hopper. Thus the hopper iscompletely open. Thechains 89 in their being wound initially about the shaft effectuate ahigh torque and low speed movement of the sections during the initialopening to thereby also achieve the benefits of the invention describedin the aforementioned embodiment. In other words, where high torque isrequired initially, such torque is achieved by the chains 89 initiallywinding upon the shaft to effectuate the high torque at a relatively lowspeed. However as the chains 89 are wound upon themselves over thepulleys 88, the torque decreases and the speed of opening increases,thus achieving a fast opening gate arrangement. Of course as thisopening occurs the chains 92 are unwound from the pulleys 91 with saidpulleys 91 and chains 92 being operative in a reverse direction toeffectuate closing of the gates in sequence. Such closing is effectedalso by rotating the shaft 85 whereupon the chains 92 wrap themselves orare wound upon the pulleys 91 which thereby moves the section 74initially until the stops 84 engage the sections 74 which are then alsomoved into the position shown in FIG. 9 wherein the gate 73 is in aclosed and sealed position relative to the discharge opening.

in the modification of the arrangement 60, as the gate 73 is beingopened by the rotation of the pulleys 88 in a clockwise direction, thechains 92 are being unwound from the pulleys 91 until the gate iscompletely open. At the extreme open position, the connection of thechains 92 to the pulleys 91 is at the narrowest diameter of the pulleyhub,'as best shown in FIG. 10. The shaft 85 is now rotated in acounterclockwise direction wherein the chain starts to wrap itself aboutthe narrow portion of the pulley hub 91 and onto itself thus causing thegate sections to move to the right to the closed position, whereupon thechains 89 are unwound from the pulleys 88 during this operation. Itshould be noted that in this case the high torque is in the initialclosing of the gate and as the pulleys 91 are rotated in acounterclockwise direction, the speed increases toward closing and thesections as they are moved to the closed position are moving faster withless torque being applied. This operation is contrary to the operationdisclosed in the aforementioned embodiment wherein high torque and lowspeed is desired and achieved when initially opening. and upon finalclosing. 1t is recognized that under certain conditions of operation ofthe gate high torque may be desired on initially closing which isachieved in the modified embodiment. Primarily, however, the importantadvantage of high torque on opening is present in both embodiments.

Thus it is now apparent that an improved hopper discharge outletarrangement has been disclosed which We claim: 1. An outlet arrangementfor the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including verticalwalls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening, aclosure member slidably positioned on said frame for. movement between aposition closing said opening and an open position wherein said closuremember is disposed to one side of said opening, for the improvementcomprising:

actuating means including reel means rotatably mounted on said closuremember for moving the same,

flexible means connected to said frame, and said reel means,

means for rotating said reel means to wind and unwind said flexiblemember on and off said reel means thereby moving said closure member tobetween open and closed positions, and

means associated with said reel means for initially applying a maximumtorque for opening said closure member at a certain speed, said torquedecreasing and said speed increasing and said speed increasing duringcontinued rotation of said reel means and opening movement of saidclosure member.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said means for applying a maximum torque comprising a spiral groove onsaid reel means said flexible means being connected to the small end ofsaid spiral groove.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2,

said actuating means further comprising a second reel means responsiveto said rotating means and including a second spiral groove.

second flexible means connected to the large end of the second reelspiral groove to be wound upon said second reel thereby moving saidclosure member to a closed position,

said second reel means providing initially a certain torque and acertain speed of movement of said closure member to a closing position,said torque increasing and said speed decreasing during continuedrotation of said second reel means and closing movement of said closuremember.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said reel means including a rotatable shaft, and said associated meansincluding a pulley, said flexible means being windable onto said pulleyand around itself.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4,

said flexible means comprising a link type chain.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 4,

including a second pulley connected to said shaft,

and second flexible means connected to said frame and to said secondpulley, said second flexible means extending longitudinally in anopposite direction with respect to said first flexible means, and beingadapted to be wound onto said second pulley and onto itself for closingsaid closure member. The invention in accordance with claim 6, saidflexible means each comprising a link chain.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said closure membercomprising a plurality of sections movable in sequence during actuationof said actuating means.

9. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having aframe including verticai walls connected to said discharge end to form adischarge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said framefor movement between open and closed positions rela- 10 tive to saidopening, the improvement comprising:

an actuating member rotatably mounted on said closure member, first andsecond reel means connected to said actuating member for rotationtherewith, each of said reel means including first and second spiralgrooved reel elements,

first pair of flexible elements connected to the larger end of saidfirst spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in onedirection and having end portions connected to said frame,

a second pair of flexible elements connected to the smaller end saidsecond spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in an oppositedirection and having end portions connected to said frame, and

means for rotating said actuating member in clockwise andcounterclockwise directions, one

pair of said spiral grooved elements being arranged during each saidrotation to gather one pair of said flexible elements thereon while theother pair of flexible elements is unwound from said other pair ofspiral grooved elements thereby moving said closure member between saidopen and closed positions.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9,

each said reel element having an outer conical wall in which each saidspiral grooved element is disposed,

said spiral grooved element being connected to said flexible memberswhereby upon rotation of said reel elements in a first direction amaximum torque is initially applied to open said closure member at acertain speed movement with said applied torque decreasing and saidspeed of movement increasing as said closure member continues to bemoved to its open position, and

rotation of said reel elements in the opposite direction initiallyapplies a low torque at a higher speed of movement with said torqueincreasing and said speed of movement decreasing as said closure memberis moved to its closed position.

1 l. The invention in accordance with claim 10,

further comprising a stop element supported on said frame, and

releasable latch means on said closure member en-,

gageable with said stop element for releasably connecting said closuremember in the closed position.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 9,

said closure member comprising a plurality of sections,

said sections being movable in sequence during rotation of saidactuating member.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 12,

said sections being positioned in superposed relation and in said closedposition one section sealingly overlapping the other.

of said rotatable member, said rotatable members and said flexiblemembers being arranged to move said closure member 14. An outletarrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame includingvertical walls connected to said discharge end to form a dischargeopening,

between open and closed positions during said a closure member slidablypositioned on said frame winding whereupon initially a maximum Openingfor movement between, Posmon, 9 torque is applied to open said closuremember at a 2112;): i s d g s 0 56 Fs o gg sig g?gaizi lgig certainspeed of sliding movement and as said flexthe improvemezt comprising Pible member is wound upon itself a progressively first and secondrotatable members supported on 10 lower torque is applied at a higherSpeed of Sliding said frame movement and the reverse is the case for theelefirst and second flexible members each having one sure i F end fixedto Said frame and its other and C0 15. The invention in accordance withclaim 14, "acted to a respective one of Said rotatable wherein each saidrotatable member comprises a pulbers and adapted to be wound around Saidrotate: l ley and shaft arrangement rotatably eonnected to ble memberand onto itself during rotation of said Sam closure member to movethcrewnh' rotatable member to effectively vary the diameter

1. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having aframe including vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form adischarge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said framefor movement between a position closing said opening and an openposition wherein said closure member is disposed to one side of saidopening, for the improvement comprising: actuating means including reelmeans rotatably mounted on said closure member for moving the same,flexible means connected to said frame, and said reel means, means forrotating said reel means to wind and unwind said flexible member on andoff said reel means thereby moving said closure member to between openand closed positions, and means associated with said reel means forinitially applying a maximum torque for opening said closure member at acertain speed, said torque decreasing and said speed increasing and saidspeed increasing during continued rotation of said reel means andopening movement of said closure member.
 2. The invention in accordancewith claim 1, said means for applying a maximum torque comprising aspiral groove on said reel means said flexible means being connected tothe small end of said spiral groove.
 3. The invention in accordance withclaim 2, said actuating means further comprising a second reel meansresponsive to said rotating means and including a second spiral groove,second flexible means connected to the large end of the second reelspiral groove to be wound upon said second reel thereby movIng saidclosure member to a closed position, said second reel means providinginitially a certain torque and a certain speed of movement of saidclosure member to a closing position, said torque increasing and saidspeed decreasing during continued rotation of said second reel means andclosing movement of said closure member.
 4. The invention in accordancewith claim 1, said reel means including a rotatable shaft, and saidassociated means including a pulley, said flexible means being windableonto said pulley and around itself.
 5. The invention in accordance withclaim 4, said flexible means comprising a link type chain.
 6. Theinvention in accordance with claim 4, including a second pulleyconnected to said shaft, and second flexible means connected to saidframe and to said second pulley, said second flexible means extendinglongitudinally in an opposite direction with respect to said firstflexible means, and being adapted to be wound onto said second pulleyand onto itself for closing said closure member.
 7. The invention inaccordance with claim 6, said flexible means each comprising a linkchain.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said closure membercomprising a plurality of sections movable in sequence during actuationof said actuating means.
 9. An outlet arrangement for the discharge endof a hopper having a frame including vertical walls connected to saiddischarge end to form a discharge opening, a closure member slidablypositioned on said frame for movement between open and closed positionsrelative to said opening, the improvement comprising: an actuatingmember rotatably mounted on said closure member, first and second reelmeans connected to said actuating member for rotation therewith, each ofsaid reel means including first and second spiral grooved reel elements,a first pair of flexible elements connected to the larger end of saidfirst spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in onedirection and having end portions connected to said frame, a second pairof flexible elements connected to the smaller end said second spiralgrooved elements and extending horizontally in an opposite direction andhaving end portions connected to said frame, and means for rotating saidactuating member in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, one pairof said spiral grooved elements being arranged during each said rotationto gather one pair of said flexible elements thereon while the otherpair of flexible elements is unwound from said other pair of spiralgrooved elements thereby moving said closure member between said openand closed positions.
 10. The invention in accordance with claim 9, eachsaid reel element having an outer conical wall in which each said spiralgrooved element is disposed, said spiral grooved element being connectedto said flexible members whereby upon rotation of said reel elements ina first direction a maximum torque is initially applied to open saidclosure member at a certain speed movement with said applied torquedecreasing and said speed of movement increasing as said closure membercontinues to be moved to its open position, and rotation of said reelelements in the opposite direction initially applies a low torque at ahigher speed of movement with said torque increasing and said speed ofmovement decreasing as said closure member is moved to its closedposition.
 11. The invention in accordance with claim 10, furthercomprising a stop element supported on said frame, and releasable latchmeans on said closure member engageable with said stop element forreleasably connecting said closure member in the closed position. 12.The invention in accordance with claim 9, said closure member comprisinga plurality of sections, said sections being movable in sequence duringrotation of said actuating member.
 13. The invention in accordance withclaim 12, said sections being positIoned in superposed relation and insaid closed position one section sealingly overlapping the other.
 14. Anoutlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frameincluding vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form adischarge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said framefor movement between a position closing said opening and an openposition wherein said closure member is disposed to one side of saidopening, the improvement comprising: first and second rotatable memberssupported on said frame, first and second flexible members each havingone end fixed to said frame and its other end connected to a respectiveone of said rotatable members and adapted to be wound around saidrotatable member and onto itself during rotation of said rotatablemember to effectively vary the diameter of said rotatable member, saidrotatable members and said flexible members being arranged to move saidclosure member between open and closed positions during said windingwhereupon initially a maximum opening torque is applied to open saidclosure member at a certain speed of sliding movement and as saidflexible member is wound upon itself a progressively lower torque isapplied at a higher speed of sliding movement and the reverse is thecase for the closure movement.
 15. The invention in accordance withclaim 14, wherein each said rotatable member comprises a pulley andshaft arrangement rotatably connected to said closure member to movetherewith.